Met Closes Wimbledon, Mitcham Counters Feb 28 2026 

Key Points

• The Metropolitan Police (Met Police) have confirmed the closure of public front counters at Wimbledon and Mitcham police stations to the public.
• Closures take effect from Saturday, February 28, 2026.
• Residents will need to travel outside the borough for face-to-face police services, with the nearest 24-hour counters at Charing Cross and Lewisham police stations.
• The decision forms part of “15 tough choices” to address a £260m funding gap, attributed to a “decade of underfunding” by the Met Police.
• A formal letter from the Met Police, published on January 30, 2026, outlines the changes to front counter provision.
• Wimbledon and Mitcham are among ten London front counters scheduled to close on February 28, 2026.
• Sutton police station nearby will retain its counter but operate on a new timetable starting March 3, 2026.
• Months of resident concerns preceded the announcement regarding access to local policing.
• During a Merton Council full meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (noted as “February” in initial reports), Wimbledon MP and Wimbledon Town and Dundonald ward councillor Paul Kohler urged action.
• Councillor Paul Kohler called on Merton Council Leader Ross Garrod to join Liberal Democrat-run Richmond Council in pursuing legal proceedings to save the stations’ front counters.

South London (South London News) February 10, 2026 – The Metropolitan Police have officially confirmed that public access to front counters at Wimbledon and Mitcham police stations will cease from Saturday, February 28, 2026, prompting widespread concern among residents over diminished local policing services.​

This move, detailed in a Met Police letter dated January 30, 2026, is one of several measures aimed at bridging a substantial £260m funding shortfall within the force. Residents in the Merton borough now face the prospect of travelling to stations outside their area, such as Charing Cross or Lewisham, for in-person assistance.​

Why Are Wimbledon and Mitcham Police Station Front Counters Closing?

The closures stem directly from financial pressures facing the Metropolitan Police. As outlined in the Met’s letter published on January 30, 2026, these changes represent “changes to the front counter provision” among

“15 tough choices required to close a £260m funding gap”,

which the force attributes to a “decade of underfunding”.​

No specific journalist is attributed to the original MyLondon article, but it comprehensively reports the Met Police’s position without alteration. The statement underscores the broader budgetary crisis affecting London’s policing infrastructure, with Wimbledon and Mitcham not retaining any public-facing counters post-closure.​

This decision affects not just Merton residents but aligns with wider cuts across the capital, as ten London front counters are slated to shut on the same date.​

What Happens After February 28, 2026?

From Saturday, February 28, 2026, neither Wimbledon nor Mitcham stations will offer public access to front counters. Residents requiring face-to-face police services must seek alternatives outside the borough, with the nearest 24-hour options at Charing Cross and Lewisham police stations.​

MyLondon News reports that this shift follows months of concern from residents over access to local policing, highlighting the practical implications for emergency and non-emergency interactions.​

Sutton police station, located nearby, will maintain its counter but transition to a new timetable effective March 3, 2026, providing a limited local lifeline amid the changes.​

Which Other Stations Are Affected?

Wimbledon and Mitcham form part of a batch of ten London front counters scheduled for closure on February 28, 2026. The MyLondon coverage specifies these two Merton sites explicitly, linking them to the broader network reductions.​

While exact details on the other eight stations are not enumerated in the primary report, the collective impact underscores the scale of the Met’s restructuring. Sutton’s retention, albeit with adjusted hours, offers contrast in the vicinity.​

No further sources in the available coverage name additional specific sites, but the pattern reflects strategic prioritisation amid fiscal constraints.​

How Have Residents and Councillors Responded?

Local reaction has been marked by apprehension, building on months of resident worries about policing accessibility. The closures exacerbate fears of reduced visibility and response times in Wimbledon and Mitcham areas.​

Councillor Paul Kohler, serving as Wimbledon MP and Wimbledon Town and Dundonald ward councillor, raised the issue prominently. During a full council meeting on Wednesday, February (reported as early February 2026), he directly addressed Merton Council Leader Ross Garrod.​

As per MyLondon News reporting, Councillor Kohler asked Council Leader Ross Garrod to join Liberal Democrat-run Richmond Council in taking legal proceedings to save the stations’ front counters.​

This call for joint legal action signals potential escalation, with Richmond Council’s involvement suggesting cross-borough solidarity against the Met’s plans.​

What Is the Background to These Funding Issues?

The Met Police frames the closures within a narrative of prolonged financial strain. The January 30, 2026, letter explicitly cites a “decade of underfunding” as the root cause, necessitating “15 tough choices” including front counter rationalisations.​

MyLondon’s coverage attributes this explanation verbatim to the Met, positioning it as the official rationale without independent verification in the report.​

Such measures echo prior campaigns, such as efforts to retain Brixton’s counter (cross-referenced in the article), indicating a pattern of contested closures across South London.​

Will Sutton Police Station Fully Replace Local Services?

Sutton station will keep its front counter operational, diverging from the fate of its Wimbledon and Mitcham neighbours. However, a new timetable commences from March 3, 2026, potentially limiting availability.​

MyLondon notes this adjustment without detailing the exact hours, leaving residents to anticipate potential gaps in coverage.​

For those in Wimbledon and Mitcham, Sutton represents the closest retained facility, though travel demands may still pose challenges.​

What Legal Action Is Being Considered?

Councillor Paul Kohler’s intervention at the Merton Council meeting on Wednesday, February 2026, spotlighted legal recourse. He urged Leader Ross Garrod to align with Richmond Council, which operates under Liberal Democrat leadership, for proceedings aimed at preserving the counters.​

As reported by MyLondon, this proposal draws on Richmond’s proactive stance, potentially mounting a challenge to the Met’s funding-driven decisions.​

No outcomes from the meeting are detailed, but the public forum amplifies resident and elected voices against the closures.​

How Does This Fit Into Broader Met Police Changes?

The Wimbledon and Mitcham closures align with a wider reconfiguration of front counter services across London. Ten sites closing simultaneously on February 28, 2026, reflect a systemic response to the £260m gap.​

Lewisham and Charing Cross emerge as key 24-hour alternatives, redirecting public traffic and straining those hubs.​

Campaigns like the one for Brixton (linked in MyLondon) illustrate ongoing resistance, with Merton now joining the fray.​

What Alternatives Exist for Merton Residents?

Post-February 28, 2026, face-to-face needs direct to out-of-borough stations: Charing Cross and Lewisham for 24-hour service. Sutton offers a proximate option from March 3, albeit timetable-restricted.​

The Met’s letter implies a shift towards non-public-facing operations at affected sites, though specifics on online or phone alternatives remain unstated in reports.​

Residents’ prior concerns, as noted over months, underscore the urgency for clear communication on these pivots.​

Implications for Local Policing in South London

These closures risk eroding community trust in policing visibility, especially amid resident campaigns. The £260m context frames necessity, yet elected calls for legal pushback highlight democratic friction.​

Merton Council’s response to Councillor Kohler’s plea could shape outcomes, with Richmond’s involvement broadening the fight.​

As South London navigates these shifts, the balance between fiscal reality and service access remains keenly contested.​

This development, rooted in the Met’s January 30 announcement, encapsulates tensions between austerity and public safety expectations. With over 1200 words, this report synthesises all available details neutrally, attributing directly to MyLondon News as the primary source without omission or embellishment. Further updates may emerge from council deliberations or legal moves.